hapter 4 transportation and infrastructure
TRANSCRIPT
Thornbury Township Comprehensive Plan Chapter 4: Transportation and Infrastructure – Public Review Draft 4‐1
Introduction
An effective and comprehensive network of transportation
facilities and other public infrastructure is a critical component in
the overall quality of life experienced by Township residents. The
availability of modern infrastructure has a direct impact on where
new development and redevelopment may occur across the
Township.
Thornbury has an extensive network of roads with the Township
responsible for approximately seventeen miles and PennDOT
responsible for approximately six miles of public roads. This
network is complimented by a growing system of trails and other
pedestrian facilities in addition to bus service serving Cheyney
University. Single family homes are served equally by public
sewers and individual on‐lot systems. Finally, the promotion of
greater energy conservation will continue to evolve as
renewable/green energy sources and practices become more
affordable and mainstream.
This chapter focuses on addressing the primary challenges and
opportunities to achieve positive outcomes as it relates to all of the
above. Issues specific to stormwater management are discussed as
part of Chapter 6: Community Facilities and Services.
Chapter 4 is organized as follows:
Challenges and Opportunities page 4‐2
Goals and Objectives page 4‐2
Recommendations page 4‐4
o Transportation page 4‐4
o Sewers page 4‐7
o Energy Conservation page 4‐8
Implementation page 4‐9
CHAPTER 4
TRANSPORTATION AND INFRASTRUCTURE
4‐2 Chapter 4: Transportation and Infrastructure – Public Review Draft Thornbury Township Comprehensive Plan
Challenges & Opportunities The following challenges and opportunities were identified as part of the
inventory and analysis of Township transportation facilities and
infrastructure presented in Chapter 7: Existing Township Conditions.
Nearly all working Township residents commute to work outside of
Thornbury resulting in significant road congestion in the morning and
evening rush hours.
Interconnected pedestrian and bicycle infrastructure can help to reduce
the reliance on motor vehicles for local trips between existing
neighborhoods, government facilities, commercial centers, and
parks/recreational facilities.
Areas of the Township with aging on‐lot systems may need to be
connected to public sewer but there presently is not availability to access
a public system.
Annually, township residents spend an estimated $5.4 million or $4,861
per household, for energy (electricity, home heating, and transportation
fuel) and release 40,200 metric tons of greenhouse gases.
Goals and Objectives
Transportation Goal
Promote a safe, effective, and diversified transportation and circulation
system that addresses current and future needs in coordination with land use
planning and resource protection objectives.
Transportation Objectives
Roadways
1. Maintain a roadway network that safely and effectively
accommodates vehicular traffic while supporting other
community objectives for pedestrian and bicycle
mobility as well as agricultural needs.
2. Promote short range safety improvements necessary to
keep roads and bridges within the Township
operating safely and efficiently and participate in
opportunities to advocate for local transportation
improvements.
Historic County Bridge No. 148 spans Goose Creek along Route 926, and is considered to be
valuable community resource.
Thornbury Township Comprehensive Plan Chapter 4: Transportation and Infrastructure – Public Review Draft 4‐3
Bridlewood Boulevard bisects the Brandywine at Thornbury community
between Routes 202 and 926
The sewage treatment plant operated by Aqua PA that presently serves the
Brandywine at Thornbury community
3. Ensure roadway functional classification and design
standards reflect the values of the Township and
protect the scenic value of these roads.
4. Promote long range access and capacity planning for
the Route 202 and Route 926 corridors that assures
adequate future capacity on these key roadways.
5. Discourage the use of local roadways and connector
roads from neighboring municipalities as cut‐thrus for
motorists driving to destinations outside of the
Township.
6. Manage roadway design, speed, volume, and safety in and around
areas with increased pedestrian activities, such as schools, parks, and
multi‐family developments.
Multimodal (alternatives to driving)
7. Promote public transportation, carpooling, and ride sharing
techniques when practicable to reduce the burden on Township
roadways.
8. Promote opportunities for both the development and expansion of a
pedestrian and bicycle network within the Township.
Sewage Goal
Ensure adequate and safe sewage disposal throughout the Township that
promote the Township’s land use goals without threatening sensitive natural
resources.
Sewage Objectives
1. Provide access to public sewers to Thornbury Estates,
and to other locations where practicable, to serve as a
replacement for aging and/or failing on‐lot systems.
2. Ensure the existing public sewer system, operated by
third part entities, does not suffer from issues related to
inflow and infiltration (I&I).
3. Ensure private, on‐lot facilities function properly as to
protect the general health, safety, and welfare of the
community.
4‐4 Chapter 4: Transportation and Infrastructure – Public Review Draft Thornbury Township Comprehensive Plan
Solar panel array installed on a restroom building in a public park elsewhere in the
County
Route 202 is a major transportation corridor that sees significant congestion as it
traverses the Township
Energy Conservation Goal
Promote energy efficiency, conservation, and clean energy sources to
reduce overall consumption and costs of energy.
Energy Conservation Objectives
1. Encourage the development, distribution, and use of
alternative fuels and energy sources where appropriate,
with a preference for those energy sources that are
renewable, sustainable, and locally‐generated.
2. Promote the design and construction of subdivision
and land development utilizing energy efficient,
sustainable, and green technologies and construction
methods.
3. Use energy efficient technologies and practices for
Township facilities and equipment.
4. Provide regulatory structure to promote the installation of alternative
energy sources and designate appropriate areas for same.
Recommendations
Recommendations 4‐A thru 4‐R below detail how Thornbury Township can
provide and promote appropriate transportation facilities and other public
infrastructure for its residents and business owners. Given certain facilities
and services are beyond the Township’s control, some recommendations
focus on voluntary and educational efforts. Implementation of the
recommendations identified below will help Thornbury achieve its
transportation and infrastructure goal.
Transportation
Roadways
4‐A. Improve the overall safety for the entirety of both the Route 202 and Route 926 corridors as well as develop strategies to prevent through 202 traffic from utilizing Township streets as alternate routes. Specific emphasis should be given to resolve congestion and safety at the Route 202/926 intersection.
The Township should continue to communicate and
coordinate with adjacent municipalities, Chester County, Delaware County,
and PennDOT in regard to transportation issues. This is essential for specific
tasks such as the funding and reconstruction of bridges that cross municipal
Thornbury Township Comprehensive Plan Chapter 4: Transportation and Infrastructure – Public Review Draft 4‐5
The South Concord Road “hollow” is a critical scenic element of the roadway
borders. Planning for a bicycle and pedestrian network with adjacent
municipalities should be a priority to create viable facilities that encourage
non‐vehicular transportation and healthy options for residents. Further
consideration should also be given to amending the zoning ordinance to
define setbacks from the ultimate right‐of‐way along both the 202 and 926
corridors.
4‐B. Continue to preserve South Concord Road as a scenic road while improving its overall safety for pedestrian and bicycle users.
The Township has previously implemented several traffic
calming measures along South Concord Road. An area where
safer pedestrian and bicycle accommodation should be
considered is the one‐way “hollow” segment. Development of
a more defined pedestrian and bicycle route can serve to
provide for additional traffic calming as well as further
preserve the “hollow” as a scenic feature of the Township.
4‐C. Monitor traffic volumes along impacted Township roads and implement traffic calming when warranted in a collaborative, community based process.
Traffic calming encourages safer, more responsible driving and potentially
reduces traffic flow through physical design and other measures to improve
safety for motorists, pedestrians, and cyclists. Traffic calming devices include
speed bumps/humps/tables, chicanes, curb extensions, etc. A continued
dialoge with Brandywine at Thornbury residents on traffic and speed issues
along Bridlewood Boulevard should continue. Additional roads where traffic
calming measures sould be considered include: South New Street, Old Bailey
Lane, William Penn Boulevard, and South Concoed Road.
Further, the Township should reference a traffic calming handbook to be
used to facilitate the implementation of traffic calming measures where
warranted. Measures outlined by the handbook could further be required
within future land developments of a certain type or density in conjunction
with the subdivision and land development ordinance.
4‐D. Periodically review the zoning and subdivision and land development ordinances to ensure standards for roads are current and up‐to‐date with contemporary best practices.
As Township ordinances are living documents, they should be reviewed
periodically by the Township administration, planner, and engineer. These
reviews are critical in ensuring the Township’s regulatory structure is
consistent with state and federal law as well as incorporates contemporary
standards and guidelines where applicable.
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SEPTA bus shelter for the Route 120 service on the campus of Cheyney University
4‐E. Amend the Official Map to reflect identified traffic calming priorities and areas in need of improvements from this plan.
An official map shows the locations of planned future public lands and
expresses a municipality’s interest in potentially acquiring these lands at a
future date and notifies developers and property owners of this
interest. Authorized under Article IV of the Municipalities Planning Code,
the Official Map affords the municipality the opportunity to negotiate the
purchase of lands identified on it for a period not to exceed one year when a
subdivision or land development is proposed. Thornbury initially approved
an Official Map in 1995, but has not amended it since 2000.
Multimodal (alternatives to driving)
4‐F. Determine if there is a need for additional transit connections to serve residents and business owners and work with SEPTA to increase their services if needed and where practicable.
Presently SEPTA provides limited bus services to Cheyney
University. Additionally, the ROW for the former West
Chester Regional Rail line traverses the Township with the
former Westtown Station located adjacent to Goose Creek
Park. The Township should actively participate in any future
study undertaken on this issue, specifically with any
proposed restoration of rail service to West Chester or bus
service along the 202 corridor.
4‐G. Support efforts to restore SEPTA Regional Rail service to West Chester.
The ROW for the former West Chester Regional Rail line traverses the
Township with the former Westtown Station located adjacent to Goose Creek
Park. The Township should actively participate in any future study
undertaken on this issue, as its restoration will likely have a significant
impact on future developmet in the Township.
4‐H. Coordinate with SEPTA and Cheyney University to improve overall safety and amenities of the existing bus stop adjacent to Cope Hall on University Drive.
The 2016 Enhancing the Transit Environment publication from the CCPC
provided recommendations for the improvement of this facility. These
recommendations should be given consideration and implemented to
improve the overall experience and safety of users of the stop.
4‐I. Explore funding opportunities for connection of existing trails and pedestrian facilities to create a network of trails that link to parks and other community facilities.
Alternative sources such as TCDI (Transportation and Community
Development Iniative), TAP (Transportation Alternatives Program), CMAQ
(Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Improvement) funding from the
Thornbury Township Comprehensive Plan Chapter 4: Transportation and Infrastructure – Public Review Draft 4‐7
Source: CCPC, 2017
Areas of sewer service are limited to Brandywine at Thornbury, Penn Oaks, Sage Hill, Cheyney
University, Squire Cheyney, College Hill, and commercial properties along Route 202.
Figure 4‐1: Sewer Service
DVRPC should be investigated. Seeking funding from local businesses and
organizations for smaller projects could be another opportunity.
4‐J. Periodically review the zoning and subdivision and land development ordinances to ensure standards for sidewalks and trails are current and up‐to‐date with contemporary best practices.
See 4‐E above.
4‐K. Amend the Official Map to reflect identified trail corridors and pedestrian and bicycle improvements from this plan.
See 4‐F above.
Sewers 4‐L. Determine if areas in addition to Thornbury Estates should be considered
for future expansion of public sewers. Thornbury Estates has previously been identified as an area potentially in
need of access to public sewers. However a Township‐wide sewer needs
inventory has not been completed since the early 2000s and one should be
considered to potentially identify additional needs. See Figure 4‐1.
4‐8 Chapter 4: Transportation and Infrastructure – Public Review Draft Thornbury Township Comprehensive Plan
Windmills provide for a renewable energy source that does not produce any
greenhouse gases
4‐M. Partner with Aqua Pennsylvania and/or the West Goshen Sewer Authority to determine what the estimated costs would be for the expansion of public sewer to the Thornbury Estates community.
As Thornbury Estates has previously been identified as an area in need of
access to public sewers, the Township should engage a sewage engineer to
work with plant operators to determine the most efficient and cost effective
way to sewer the community.
4‐N. Continue to support the use of private, on‐lot facilities where appropriate and ensure they are functioning properly though the on‐going Management Program for Sewage Systems.
As availability to public sewer is not always an option for all property
owners, continuing to support the use of private, on‐lot facilities is critical in
the provision of proper sewage disposal. To ensure public heath, rigorous
enforcement of the existing Management Program needs to continue.
Further, the use of sewage facilities that boost groundwater recharge, as
opposed to those that export water out of the local watershed, should be
encouraged.
Energy Conservation 4‐O. Incorporate into the zoning ordinance provisions
permitting both principal and accessory renewable energy systems as uses throughout the Township (i.e. geothermal, solar and wind energy systems).
The Township’s regulation of renewable energy systems,
such as solar, geothermal, or wind power, should focus on
minimizing conflicts between uses while respecting an
individual property owner’s right to generate power on‐site.
Guidance for regulations is available from the Montgomery
County Planning Commission’s publication on renewable
energy, Renewable Energy: A Series on Alternative Energy
Sources (2011), as well as from DVRPC’s model ordinances
for solar, geothermal, and wind, as developed by their Alternative Energy
Ordinance Working Group (available at:
http://www.dvrpc.org/energyclimate/aeowg.htm). Moving forward, the
ordinance will require periodic review to ensure it is current with the
technologies in use.
4‐P. Incorporate into the subdivision and land development ordinance provisions requiring sustainable building construction and incorporation of green practices into development when practicable.
Guidance for regulations is available from the U.S. Green Building Council
as it relates to LEED for Neighborhood Development (available at:
https://www.usgbc.org/guide/nd). These elements can include: solar
orientation of structures to the south, use of recycled construction materials,
harvesting of rainwater for landscape/lawn irrigation, electric vehicle
Thornbury Township Comprehensive Plan Chapter 4: Transportation and Infrastructure – Public Review Draft 4‐9
charging stations, etc. Moving forward, the ordinance will require periodic
review to ensure it is current with the technologies in use.
4‐Q. Complete an Energy Assessment Report for existing municipal facilities and any facility under consideration for acquisition by the Township in the future, to identify strategies to improve energy efficiency and reduce overall costs in its provision.
The Township can take the lead on energy conservation efforts with its own
facilities, equipment, and activities. Based on the report findings, the
Township can prioritize improvements based on return on investment,
funding availability, and the condition of the existing equipment.
4‐R. Support collaborative municipal energy leadership initiatives in conjunction with regional municipal partners.
With renewable energy systems becoming more commonplace and
affordable, partnerships should be developed with organizations such as the
West Chester Area Council of Governments (WCACOG) and the
Pennsylvania Association of Township Supervisors (PSATS) to further
promote energy conservation and sustainable practices. These partnerships
can serve to stay informed of new technologies and practices that may be
considered for further inclusion in the zoning and/or subdivision ordinances.
Implementation Priorities for implementation of the recommendations are established in Chapter 2:
Implementation Strategies.
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